The head of the Russian paramilitary mercenary organization also said that “the number of prisoners of war” would be announced within the day.
The head of the Russian paramilitary mercenary group Wagner – and a close ally of Putin – announced today that his fighters have taken control of the critical city of Solendar in eastern Ukraine after several weeks of fierce fighting.
“Units of Wagner have taken control of the whole of Solentar,” Yevgeny Prigozhin announced, adding that the fighters continue to fight in an “urban environment” in some sectors in its center, encircling the resisting Ukrainian soldiers.
The fighting centers on salt mines that have fallen into disuse in recent years. Powerful forces can take refuge in their galleries.
The head of the infamous mercenary company also said that “the number of prisoners of war” remains to be announced within the day.
Wagner reported last night via Telegram that she gave the surrounded Ukrainian soldiers in Solentar until midnight (local and Greek time) to surrender.
Blurry landscape
According to international media, the fact that Wagner’s leader himself spoke of fighting in the center of Solentar makes it rather uncertain whether the mercenary organization and the Russian army actually took over “the whole” city.
AFP stresses that it is unable to independently verify the claim.
The Ukrainian side has not commented on Mr. Prigozhin’s claim, while in his speech last night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke of a “very tense” situation.
Earlier, Kyiv reported that fighting was continuing and that “despite its losses, the enemy continues to attack,” as Deputy Defense Minister Hana Maliar put it, adding that the front was “strewn with the corpses of attackers.”
The British Ministry of Defense spoke yesterday morning of “regular advances” by Russian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries in Solentar, acknowledging that they “probably” had “control of the greater part” of the leveled city. Purpose? of the Russian forces is to cordon off Bakhmut, at a distance of about ten kilometers, to cut the Ukrainian defense lines and communications.
From the Kremlin’s point of view, capturing Solentar and Bakhmut would be an important step in bringing the entire Donbas under its control — a declared goal of what it calls a “special military operation” from February 24, 2022, now on its way to complete one year.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
